– Today’s wrestling birthdays include TNA star Jesse Sorensen (24) and Randy Orton (33).
– Sin Cara noted on Twitter that he’ll be at tonight’s WWE RAW from Washington, DC. There’s no word on whether he’ll be competing tonight. Sin Cara has been out of action for several weeks after recently suffering a concussion during a match against Jack Swagger.
– Paul Heyman tweeted the following in advance of tonight’s WWE RAW:
Paul Heyman recently spoke with Philly.com to promote WrestleMania 29. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The City of Philadelphia:
“There is no Paul Heyman in 2013 without the city of Philadelphia. Each city has a unique flavor… and Philadelphia is the reason why ECW became such a global phenomenon and in turn solidified my reputation and afforded me the opportunity to build my reputation that I would have never had in any other city in America or in the world for that matter.”
Working with CM Punk and Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania:
“How could it be bad for me? I have two of the three main events properly represented on the biggest Wrestlemania of all time in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. How could things be going anything but splendidly for me? I’m ecstatic with my current role in WWE. I get to work every Monday with my two best friends: Brock Lesnar and CM Punk. I have ‘The Beast’ [Lesnar] and ‘The Best’ [Punk].”
Final Hype for Brock vs. Triple H and Punk vs. The Undertaker:
“One, you have a chance to come and witness true history, where The Undertaker’s streak is finally going to be snapped. You get to say that ‘I saw it live when The Undertaker’s streak was broken by CM Punk. Far from least important, you get to sat thank you to Triple H for all of his in-ring contributions to the WWE Universe throughout the years because if you’re a Triple H fan, you’re not going to get to see him wrestle again. This is going to be his last match because Brock Lesnar is going to beat Triple H and this is your chance to say thank you to the The Game.”
Paul Heyman recently spoke with Trentonian.com to promote WrestleMania 29. Heyman said this year’s show has a special significance to him, since it’s taking place from the greater New York City area. “It means everything,” he said. “Who doesn’t want to perform in front of their hometown?”
The article refers to Heyman as a “brash genius” and “evil mastermind” – to phrases that seem like they were created to describe the man aligned with CM Punk and Brock Lesnar. “I work with my best friends,” he said. “I like to call them the best and the beast.”
Regarding CM Punk’s match against The Undertaker and what kind of pressure Punk must be feeling headed into the match, Heyman said, “The pressure is not on CM Punk to defeat the streak. It’s on Undertaker to keep the streak.”
As for Brock Lesnar, Heyman describes him as a “once in a lifetime athlete.” With Triple H’s career on the line, he says that Brock Lesnar has a distinct advantage in this contest. “Not only is the New York area my turf, but this type of match is OUR turf.”
Both CM Punk and Brock Lesnar have made their WrestleMania feuds downright personal – with Lesnar [physically] attacking Triple H’s friends and family and CM Punk dishonoring the memory of Paul Bearer since his passing. Heyman says that his clients getting personal is lets the fans know exactly how serious these issues are. “There’s nothing people can relate to more than personal issues,” Heyman said. “Who can’t relate to standing up and fighting for your family?”
Heyman is excited to be ringside for both matches – but he’s hoping that he won’t have to see Stephanie McMahon at the show. “I wish Stephanie would stay at home and watch the Pay-Per-View on TV,” Heyman said. Stephanie’s hand is no stranger to Heyman’s face – and he admitted, “When she hits me, it hurts.”
The article also talks about WWE helping with Hurricane Sandy relief and the terrible impact the storm had on the New York / New Jersey area last year.
As noted earlier, former WWE creative team member Court Bauer revealed on Twitter that David Kreizman, who started with WWE several months ago, is now a WWE head writer.
Kreizman is a former soap opera writer (“All My Children”) and has won several Daytime Emmy Awards. Kreizman fills the void left by Eric Pankowski, who left the company earlier this month.
WWE is looking to hire more former soap opera writers, according to PWInsider.com.
Former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz, who writes most of The Rock’s material, has also been stepping up on the creative side. There is still no real push for Paul Heyman to join the creative team, although he does work with various wrestlers who seek his advice.
– WWE.com has posted a photo gallery looking at Paul Heyman after he got smacked around by Triple H on RAW. Despite the beatdown he took, Heyman and Brock Lesnar got the last laugh after they revealed Triple H’s career will be on the line in a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania 29.
– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown and Main Event tapings will take place from Cincinnati, Ohio. The advertised Smackdown main event is Chris Jericho vs. Jack Swagger in a rematch from last week. Also scheduled for the Smackdown taping are World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, The Shield, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Big Show, WWE tag champions Kane & Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, and Layla.
The advertised dark match main event will be a six-man tag match featuring The Shield vs. Randy Orton, Ryback and Sheamus.
CM Punk appeared at Friday’s Raw live event in Bridgeport, Connecticut with Paul Heyman. The former WWE Champion did not compete after reportedly suffering an arm injury during a match against Kane on Monday’s Raw.
CM Punk and Paul Heyman had the Undertaker’s urn with them as they cut a promo hyping their upcoming showdown at WrestleMania 29. Punk and Heyman were playing catch with the earn and all but said that it was Paul Bearer’s ashes inside the urn.
– During a backstage interview at RAW that aired exclusively on the WWE mobile app, Paul Heyman told Matt Striker that Triple H is crazy to fight Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania under unknown stipulations. Heyman said “the game is on” and Triple H has been outplayed.
– As seen on RAW, WWE and Kmart are running their annual WrestleMania promotion where fans can buy a limited-edition WrestleMania 29 chair for “only” $79.99 when they purchase $30 worth of WWE merchandise at the store.
– Kevin Nash noted on Twitter that he is currently overseas in Venice, Italy shooting an episode for the A&E show Celebrity Ghost Stories.
– Here is the promo for The Call that aired on RAW featuring Halle Berry, David Otunga and Kane:
– It was announced on tonight’s episode of WWE Main Event on ION television that Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman will be on hand for Monday’s Raw in Indianapolis, Indiana, to respond to Triple H’s challenge for a match at WrestleMania 29.
“Apparently, Lesnar and Heyman are looking forward to addressing The Game’s challenge live on Raw,” the official WWE website teases. “What will unfold during Lesnar’s first appearance on Raw since being attacked and injured by The Game on the Feb. 25 edition?”
– Promoting WWE Studios’ much-anticipated DVD and Blu-ray release of The Marine 3: Homefront, The Miz spoke to movie news outlet I AM ROGUE in the following video interview.
– Former WWE wrestler Marc Mero is currently on a speaking tour in Georgia advocating youths on the dangers of drugs, suicide, bullying and peer pressure. He will be speaking Thursday at the J.J. Daniell Middle School in Marietta at 9:30 a.m., noon and 1:45 p.m., Friday at the Simpson Middle School in Marietta at 1:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m., and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Piedmont Church in Marietta for a free community outreach event.
– WWE has announced that Brock Lesnar will be on Monday’s WWE RAW from Indianapolis, Indiana to respond to Triple H’s WrestleMania challenge. Triple H will also be at the show.
– With both Brock Lesnar and CM Punk involved in two of the top matches at WrestleMania 29, Paul Heyman is expected to pull “double duty” that night and be in the corners of both men .
– After meeting with Dr. James Andrews this week to determine whether he needs knee surgery to repair a possible torn ACL, Rey Mysterio tweeted the following update on his condition:
Have to wear a DYNASPLINT brace to prevent getting surgery! NO SURGERY 4 now! pic.twitter.com/oADBkcdiqR
Check out the following pictures from inside the arena for tonight’s Old School RAW, including the set, the vintage ringside area and the backstage interview area, featuring the classic WWE logo:
– The official Facebook page of WWE announced last Thursday that WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would be among those present for Extreme Rules at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri on May 19. Johnson, however, noted to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer that he will be in Europe filming MGM and Paramount Pictures’ Hercules during this time frame. Meltzer contacted WWE for clarification, but drew no answer.
Furthermore, the official website of the Scottrade Center, nor WWE.com, is advertising Johnson for the pay-per-view event.
– Ringside Collectibles did a Q&A with the Mattel WWE Design Team and it was revealed that Paul Heyman’s first-ever WWE action figure will be a “build-a-figure” to be released later this year.
– Former WWE Superstar Rhino is advertised to appear at the Ultimate Wrestling Experience at Advanced Hoops Gym 6003 Jonestown Rd. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
In honor of Sunday’s 2013 Academy Awards, WWE.com named their version of the Best Actor and Best Actress in WWE. Heyman’s now-legendary promo in which he describes the business mind and lifestyle of a “promoter” was discussed, and highlighted as the reason he won the acclaim. WWE announcer Tony Dawson said this about Heyman’s Best Actor win:
“Paul Heyman is to WWE what Marlon Brando was to Hollywood. He is the standard by which all others are measured. I will never forget his exchange with Mr. McMahon when he confessed to lying every single day to make it in this business. It was raw, powerful and absolutely brilliant.”
To read Paul Heyman’s “Acceptance Speech,” visit WWE.com.
As for Best Actress, that honor went to WWE Diva AJ Lee. “I didn’t even know I was nominated,” she told WWE.com. “Is there some sort of reward that goes along with this, like a Slammy? I already have two Slammys and I could add it to …”
– HeymanHustle.com has exclusive quotes from Paul Heyman, who talks about CM Punk’s possession of the WWE Championship as well as some storyline-driven accusations that The Rock and Vince McMahon have conspired together to get the belt off Punk.
– WWE personality Ricardo Rodriguez turns 27 years old today. He was born on February 17, 1986.
– New Orleans’ Times-Picayune newspaper published a preview of tonight’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. The article predicts that Dolph Ziggler will leave tonight’s event with the World Heavyweight Championship and Chris Jericho will win the Elimination Chamber match, setting up a WrestleMania showdown between the two men.
– WWE has released the following footage of R-Truth’s recent promotional tour of Qatar:
– Paul Heyman has picked this week’s WWE Classics Five-Star Match of the Week and selected Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock for the Undisputed WWE Championship from SummerSlam 2002 as his pick. The match saw Lesnar defeat Rock to win his first WWE title and become the youngest WWE Champion in history, up until that point. Here’s what Heyman told WWE.com about the match:
“First of all, I disagree with the designation that it’s The Rock vs. Brock. It is Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock. Brock deserves top billing. And he deserves top billing because he won the match. [Brock] did not win the match with outside interference. In fact, The Rock hit me with a Rock Bottom through a table. I was not an equation. Brock Lesnar defeated The Rock cleanly to become the Undisputed WWE Champion. And in doing so, he put his boot on the neck of The Attitude Era and anointed himself the new reigning monarch of the WWE Universe.”
– WrestleMania 29 tickets are selling very well, although the event has not yet sold out, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. WWE has already grossed around $11 million from ticket sales and the final gate is expected to top $12 million by the time the show sells out.
– Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle website has published exclusive photos of Heyman’s match against Ryback at December’s Madison Square Garden live event. Yours truly was at the show in person and the atmosphere during the special attraction match was unique to say the least.
Without giving too much away about the match result, let’s just say that Mr. Heyman got introduced to a table the hard way.
– The opening segment of tonight’s WWE RAW will see The Miz hosting Miz TV with his special guest .. Paul Heyman.
– Paul Heyman will undergo a “performance review” on tonight’s WWE RAW, conducted by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. WWE.com has published a video of Vince talking about what’s in store for Heyman on RAW from Las Vegas.
– WWE.com also has a video up featuring Paul Heyman’s reaction to CM Punk’s WWE title loss and the news that Vince McMahon will be evaluating (and possibly firing) him on RAW.
– Former WCW star La Parka has been added to the Alumni section of WWE.com.
– WWE will be holding events on February 21st & 22nd, 2013 in Doha, Qatar at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Bell time for both events is 8 PM. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
– Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle blog has published an awesome video promo hyping Sunday’s WWE Championship match between CM Punk and The Rock.
– Gabe Sapolsky has published a new blog looking at “The Untold Toughness of Seth Rollins.”
– Wade Barrett tweeted the following late Wednesday night, revealing a possible surprise Royal Rumble entrant:
Just bumped into Papa Shango at Hooters. Told me he's entering the @WWE#RoyalRumble this year. Can't wait, one of my faves.
Paul Heyman spoke to the US Airways Center website this week to promote Sunday’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Here are some highlights.
The First Time He Saw CM Punk Wrestle: “You know, it’s that intangible “it” factor that separates guys that are great talents from guys that are great talents who also become great attractions. It’s an indescribable charisma that takes over a room and jumps through your TV set.
“The first time I saw a video of CM Punk, he was wrestling in some non-descript town on a little Indy show, and he came off like a gigantic superstar that was appearing on this small show. It jumped out at me how much star power he had. In addition to how talented he was in the ring and on the microphone, he just exudes star power.”
Who Punk Reminds Him Of: “CM Punk reminds me of a lot of people. He has Rick Rude’s ability to feel the crowd. He has Steve Austin’s ability to change direction mid-stream, if he doesn’t like the way something is going. He has Brock Lesnar’s drive and ambition to be the absolute very best at what he does. He brings to the table the best of a lot of A-List people that I’ve worked with, and, as you pointed out, he is perhaps the most intelligent man that I have ever been in a conversation with in my life.”
If we will CM Punk & Brock Lesnar Team Up Together: “Only if WWE chooses to write some very heavy paychecks.”
Graham took offense to Punk’s most recent “Pipe Bomb” promo on RAW, where he insulted WWE legend Bruno Sammartino by saying that Sammartino is only regarded as one of the best ever because he wrestled once a month and never had to wrestle TLC matches or be on the road as much as Punk is. Heyman tweeted early Wednesday morning:
I think @CMPunk should defend the title on Hall of Fame Night at #MSG against Superstar Billy Graham!
